About South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb)
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is part of the National Health Service (NHS). We respond to 999 calls from the public, urgent calls from healthcare professionals and provide NHS 111 services across the region.
As part of the NHS we are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It ensures that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate high quality care and encourages care services to improve. You can find our latest CQC inspection report and previous reports on the CQC Website.
Our services
Did you know that out of all of the 999 calls we receive, only a small number of patients require a visit to hospital. At SECAmb we recognise that, for a lot of people, a trip to A&E can be a daunting prospect.
We do this by offering a range of treatment options depending on the severity of each situation. Our call centre staff are trained to assess patients over the phone and send out the most appropriate response which meets the needs of the patient.
This can include:
- An emergency ambulance response for life-threatening situations
- A Critical Care Paramedic who can provide treatment on scene for the critically injured e.g. a car accident
- A Paramedic Practitioner who can provide treatment in the home for minor injuries caused by falls or burns
- Clinical advice provided over the phone by a nurse or paramedic when appropriate
- We also work with our partners to provide referrals to a GP, Community Nurse or Mental Health Team
All of this means that each patient receives the care they need and we can reduce the number of visits to hospital giving our patients the best possible experience during what is usually an upsetting and emotional time.
In this section you can also find some useful first aid advice and find out about the many ways we work with the public to save many more lives.
Our values
Our new, clinically-led strategy was developed by and with our people, our patients and our partners.
Underpinned by our new values – Integrity, Kindness and Courage – it provides the framework for us to deliver our strategic aims:
- Delivering High Quality Care:
We are committed to delivering high quality care, ensuring every patient receives the best possible treatment and onward health management. - Our People Enjoy Working at SECAmb:
We strive to make SECAmb a great place to work by promoting a supportive and rewarding work environment where all team members feel valued and motivated. - We are a Sustainable Partner:
We are committed to being a sustainable partner within an integrated NHS, focusing on practices that enhance system integration and promote long-term resilience and efficiency.
Our transformation journey begins now and we will start implementing changes this year. We are building a stronger SECAmb, ready to face the challenges of the future and to provide the highest quality care to the communities we serve.
Did you know?
South East Coast Ambulance service:
- Covers a geographical area of 3,600 square miles (Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, and North East Hampshire)
- We work across a diverse geographical area of 3,600 square miles which includes densely populated urban areas, sparsely populated rural areas and some of the busiest stretches of motorway in the country.
- We have over 4,000 staff working across 110 sites in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Almost 90 per cent of our workforce is made up of operational staff – those caring for patients either face to face, or over the phone at our emergency dispatch centre where we receive 999 calls.
- Our patients range from the critically ill and injured who need specialist treatment, to those with minor healthcare needs who can be treated at home or in the community.
- As well as a 999 service, we also provide the NHS 111 service across the region.